Photographic product



Oct. 10, 1950 N. w. PINKHAM 2,525,720

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRODUCT Filed Jan. 9, 1947 Patented Oct. 10, 1950 2,525,720 PHOTOGRAPHIC PRODUCT Newell W. Pinkham, North Quincy, signor to Polaroid Corporation,

Mass, as- Cambridge,

Mass., a corporation of Delaware Application January 9, 1947, Serial No. 721,105

13 Claims.

This invention relates to photography and more particularly to novel film units, containers for liquid compositions to be incorporated within said film units, and magazines for holding and processing said film units.

A particular object of the present invention is to provide an improved type of container for a liquid composition for use in photography.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container for a liquid composition of the type which is capable of releasing its liquid composition upon movement of the container with respect to a portion of a magazine or camera having therein a film unit including said container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container having a clamp for sealing an edge thereof, the clamp being removable as the result of movement of the container within a magazine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container of the above type wherein the container is sealed by a removable means capable of applying a sealing pressure to one edge of said container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a magazine containing a plurality of film units each of which includes a liquid-carrying container adapted to be opened to release the contained liquid upon predetermined movement of said container relative to said magazine.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the product possessing the features, properties and the relation of components which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be the claims.

, For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic exaggerated crosssectional view of tion; and

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary exaggerated diagrame matic right-hand view ofthe invention of Fig. 1.

In general this invention relates to an improved product and apparatus for use therewith wherein a liquid-carrying container associated with a plurality of layers of sheet material is adapted to be opened at a predetermined time to release the a preferred form of the invencontained liquid for spreading between interface surfaces of said layers.

Mor Specifically, this inventionrelates to an indicated in improved photographic product of the general type disclosed in the copending application of Edwin H. Land, Serial No. 712,887, for Photographic Product and Apparatus, filed November 29, 1946, wherein a composite photographic film unit comprising a photosensitive layer and another layer called an image-carrying layer are provided with a liquid-carrying container adapted to be opened by relative movement between said container and a portion of said unit or a magazine or camera adapted to hold one or more of said units, so that the contained liquid can be spread between said photosensitive layer and said image-carrying layer.

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown an exaggerated diagrammatic sectional view of one form of the invention wherein there is provided a novel film unit comprising a plurality of layers with one of which there is associated a novel liquid-carrying container having an opening releasably sealed by a removable clamping member, said clamping member being adapted to be removed from said opening by relative movement between said container and a portion of said unit or a magazine or camera adapted to hold one or more of said units. In a preferred form of the invention a, photosensitive layer is adapted to be exposed to actinic light after which it is adapted to be moved into a predetermined faceto-face relationship with another layer and the novel container, and the film unit so assembled is then drawn from the magazine or camera which held the layers during the exposure. Drawing the film unit from the camera or magazine causes a sealing member on the liquid-carrying container to engage retaining means in the camera or magazine with the result that said sealing member is pulled off the container, thus opening the same and permitting the contained liquid to be spread between the photosensitive layer and the other layer.

It should be noted that several advantages are obtained by having the container open and in a condition to discharge the contained liquid between the two layers before any mechanism starts to spread said liquid. For example, the act of withdrawing the unit to open the container before said container contacts any spreading means requires much less force to withdraw the unit than is required when the spreading means are relied on to open the container. Furthermore, by positively opening the container by means of removing a sealing member therefrom,

all danger of failure of the container to open completely to release the contained liquid along its entire length is eliminated. Furthermore, by completely opening one edge of the container by removing sealing means therefrom, complete emptying of the container and complete coverage of the interface surfaces of the two layers by the liquid are insured. Furthermore, the assurance of complete emptying of the container makes it possible to utilize containers carrying a smaller quantity of liquid than would otherwise be possible because no allowance need be made for the possibility of some liquid being trapped therein. Also, by positively opening the container before said container is engaged by the means for spreading the contained liquid, said spreading means can be of simpler and more ellicient construction.

Referring now to the specific details of Fig. 1 there is provided a camera which is schematically shown at it. This camera has a portion generally indicated at i2 for receiving and holding a magazine M which is inserted into the magazineholding portion [2 through a door [5 in the top thereof. The magazine i4 is divided into a front portion I 8 and a rear portion by a Wall 22 having a curved top 24. An exposure Opening 25 is provided in the front portion of the magazine. At the bottom of the rear portion of the magazine there is provided an opening generally indicated at 28. Positioned in the magazine are a plurality of composite film units. These film units are also shown in Fig. 2, which is a right-hand fragmentary view of Fig. 1, where like numbers correspond to like elements in Fig. 1. As seen from Figs. 1 and 2 there are provided a plurality of photosensitive layers mounted in parallel relation in the front portion 58 of the magazine. These photosensitive layers preferably comprise a silver halide photosensitive emulsion coated upon an opaque black paper base. In the rear portion 281 of the magazine there are provided a plurality of layers 32 preferably called imagecarrying layers and preferably formed from a sheet of paper known in the art as baryta paper, and preferably opaque to actinic light. Associated with each photosensitive layer 3!] is a leader 34 which, as is illustrated in Fig. 1, extends from the front portion of the magazine, where it is attached to or is formed from the photosensitive layer, to the rear portion thereof where it extends downwardly through a slit 35 formed in the image-carrying layer 32 and extends to the outside of the magazine through the opening 28. The image-carryin layer 32 is also provided with a leader which is shown at 38 and this leader also extends to the outside of the magazine.

For the purpose of holding the photosensitive layers 36 flat in the focal plane of the camera as these layers are brought into exposure position there is provided a backing plate 40 under spring pressure exerted by a spring 42.

Attached to each image-carrying layer 32, by means such as a suitable adhesive, is a container 44 having therein a liquid composition 45. The liquid composition 45 may comprise any liquid that it is desired to spread between a photosensitive layer and another layer, or between any two layers of material. Preferably, however, the liquid in said container 44 will comprise a photographic reagent capable of at least developing a latent image in said photosensitive layer, The container is preferably formed of a material which is imper i us to oxygen, ."atcr vapor, and the contai -iquid, such as 13Eic-b$l-ld metal r The container is preferably formed by foldstrip of this material upon itself and sealin the ends 48 together as shown in Fig. 2. The third side is sealed by means of an elongated clamp or sealing strip 50 having a U-shaped cross-sectional area which fits over the open side and presses the edges tightly together. The clam 50 is preferably formed from a strip of metal, but it will be understood that a strip of any other material having suflicient resilience to hold the edges together may be employed. The clamp 50 is considerably longer than the liquidcarrying container 44 and is of sufficient length so that when the container is attached to an image-carrying layer 32 the ends 52 of the clamp will extend beyond the edges of said image-carrying layer so that when the image-carrying layer is positioned in the rear portion 20 of the magazine t4 the ends 52 will be located above and adjacent to two stationary retaining members 54 positioned one each side of said magazine.

Positioned in the opening 28 are a plurality of members 56 which divide the opening 28 into a plurality of light-tight withdrawal openings capable of applying sufiicient pressure to the outer surfaces of the composite film unit as it is withdrawn therethrough to cause the liquid 46 re leased from the container 44 to be spread between the photosensitive layer 30 and the image-carrying layer 32.

In a preferred form these members 56 are formed of metal strips having a raised ridge 58 thereon. Certain portions of these members 56 are also provided with a resilient light-seal material shown schematically at 60.

In the use of the invention as disclosed in the drawing the photosensitive layer 30 is exposed to actinic light such as by actuating the shutter mechanism of the camera ID. The user of the camera then withdraws the leader 34 from the magazine, thus moving the photosensitive layer 30 from the front portion I8 of the magazine to the rear portion 20 where this layer 30 is brought into face-to-face relation with the image-carrying layer 32. The user of the camera then engages leaders 34 and 38 and pulls both of these leaders together, thus moving the whole film unit as a composite assembly. As the film unit starts to move, the container 44 moves downwardly with the layer 32, bringing the ends 52 of the clamp 50 into engagement with the two retaining members 54 which prevent said clamp from moving any farther and permits the body of the container to be pulled away from the clamp to open the edge of the container 44. As the film unit moves down through the withdrawal opening defined by the pairs of members 56 the resilient pressure applied by this pair of members, particularly in that portion adjacent the ridge 58 thereof, causes the liquid 46 to be spread in a uniform thin layer between the photosensitive layer 30 and the image-carrying layer 32.

It will be understood that whereas the preferred embodiment disclosed in the drawing comprises a sealing clamp of such length as to extend beyond both edges of the photosensitive layer and the image-carrying layer to be engaged by retaining members located on each side of the magazine, the sealing clamp can be removed by having it extend beyond one edge only of the layers to be engaged by a retaining member on that side. It will also be appreciated that the sealing clamp can be successfully removed from the container by means of other modifications of the invention. For example, the sealing clamp can be the same length as the liquid-carrying container and have attached thereto lengths of in turn, are attached to the retaining members 54, directly to the walls of the magazine, or extend outside the magazine to be grasped by the operator and pulled to release the sealing clamp. A further invention is to have fingers or prongs attached to the retaining members 54, or the walls of the magazine, and extending inwardly to engage an edge of the clamp. A further modification of the invention is to have the retaining members adapted to be moved relative to the magazine and the film units to engage the sealing clamp and remove it from the container. Yet another modification is to attach the container to the leader 34 o that the act of withdrawing the leader from the magazine will move the container relative to the layer 32 and the magazine and bring the sealing clamp into engagement with the retaining members.

Since certain changes may be made in the above product without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A composite photographic product comprising a magazine and a photographic film unit, said film'unit including a photosensitive layer carrying a photosensitive emulsion, another layer, and a container including a photographic processing liquid which when spread over a predetermined area of said photosensitive emulsion is capable of accomplishing at ing of said emulsion, said container being secured to one of said layers adjacent an area thereof corresponding to an image area of said emulsion adapted to be exposed in being relatively fiat, elongated and having a length substantially equal to one linear dimensionof said image area, said container comprising a sheet of flexible material folded upon itself with the fold substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said container and having two edges of the folds thereof substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and sealed together, elongated clamping means forming a removable closure for the third edge of said folded sheet, said third edge upon removal of said clamping means providing a discharge passage for the contents of the container substantially equal to said linear dimension of said image area, said clamping means comprising a relatively rigid member formed from material separate from said folded sheet, means forming extensions of said clamping means, said extensions of said clamping means extending beyond both edges of the layer to which said container is secured, and means in said magazine positioned adjacent the path of movement of said edges of said layer for engaging and holding said extensions 50 as to remove said clamping means from said container upon movement of that layer carrying said container.

2. An elongated composite photographic product releasably carrying a liquid composition, said product comprising an elongated sheet support across the surface of which said liquid may be spread, said surface including an image area and said liquid being capable of entering into a photographic process which produces an image on said area, a relatively flat, elongated liquid-carrying container having a length substantially equal to one transverse dimension of said image area, said cord or wire which,

modification of the least a predetermined processa camera, said container.

container being secured transversely to said sheet support adjacent one transverse edge of said area, said container comprisinga sheet of flexible material folded upon itself with the fold substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said container' and having sheet sealed together, elongated clamping means forming a removable closure for clamping together those edges of said folded sheet opposite the fold, said clamped edges, upon removal of said clamping means, providing a discharge passage for the contents of the container substantially equal to said transverse dimension of said image area, said clamping means comprising'a relatively rigid member formed from material separate from said folded sheet, and means forming extensions of said clamping means adapted to be engaged to remove said clamping means and permit discharge of the contents of said container, said extensions extending beyond the two longitudinal edges of said sheet support.

3. An elongated photographic product comprising a container releasably holding a liquid, said liquid having dispersed therein a thickening agent, an elongated sheet support upon which said container is mounted, said sheet support providing a spreading surface having a liquid-receiving area adjacent said container onto which said liquid is spreadable directly from said container, said liquid-receiving area being greater than the area covered by said container, said container being relatively flat and elongated and having a length substantially equal to one transverse dimension of said liquid-receiving area, said container being secured transversely to said sheet support adjacent one transverse edge of said liquid-receiving area, said container comprising top and bottom walls of flexible material, the two Walls of said container being sealed together at the ends of the container, elongated clamping means fOllIllIlg a removable closure for clamping together said two walls along one long edge of said container, said clamping means comprising a relatively rigid clamping member formed from a material separate from said walls, said long edge of said container, upon removal of said clamping means, providing a discharge passage for the contents of the container substantially equal to said transverse dimension of said liquidreceiving area, and means forming extensions of said clamping means adapted to be engaged to remove said clamping means and permit discharge of said liquid from said'container, said extensions extending beyond the two longitudinal edges of said sheet support.

4. The product of claim 3 wherein said clamping member has a U-shaped cross-sectional area.

5. The product of claim 3 wherein said clamping member is longer than the width of said sheet support and said extensions are integral with said clamping member.

6. The product of claim 3 wherein said sheet support comprises a photosensitive silver halide portion. 7

7. The product of claim 6 wherein said liquid comprises a viscous alkaline aqueous solution of a silver halide developer and a silver halide solvent,

. 8. A photographic product containing material, including a photographic reagent, for producing a transformation of an image in said product, said reagent being in an amount sufficient to effect said transformation, said product comprising a liquid-confining layer including at least a photographic, photosensitive portion capable of haw the twoends of the folded 7 ing an image formed therein upon photoexposure, another liquid-confining layer, a container holding a liquid, said liquid being in an amount sufficient for transforming said image in said photosensitive portion, said liquid, upon permeation of said photosensitive portion, rendering said transforming material effective to transform said image, said layers and said container being attached together so as to permit said layers to be superposed with said liquid held by so as not to wet said layers and with said container positioned for releasing said liquid between said layers, said container being sac-like, elongated and having a liquid-dispensing passage along one long edge thereof, an elongated clamping member releasably sealing said liquid-dispensing passage, said clamping member being relatively rigid and being formed of a material separate from the walls of the container, said container, in liquid-releasing position, extending transversely of the superposed layers and being laterally disposed to one side of the portions of the layers between which the liquid thereof is to be released with said liquid-dispensing passage interposed between the layers, and means forming an extension of said clamping member, said extension extending beyond the edges of said superposed layers.

9. The product of claim 8 wherein said clamping member has a U-shaped cross-sectional area.

10. The product of claim 8 wherein said clamping member is longer than the width of either of said layers and said extension is relatively rigid and integral with said clamping member.

11. The product of claim 8 wherein said photosensitive portion comprises a silver halide and said liquid includes a developer for silver halide and a silver halide solvent.

12. A composite photographic product comprising a magazine, at least one film unit carried by said magazine, said film unit containing material, including a photographic reagent, for producing a transformation of an image in said product, said reagent being in an amount sufficient to effect said transformation, aid film unit comprising a liquid-confining layer including at least a photographic, photosensitive portion capable of having an image formed therein upon photoexposure, another liquid-confining layer, a container holding a liquid, said liquid being in an amount sufficient for transforming said image in said photosensitive portion, said liquid, upon permeation of said photosensitive portion, rendering said transforming material effective to said container transform said image, said'layers and said container being attached together so as to permit said layers to be superposed with said container positioned for releasing said liquid'between said layers, said container being sac-like, elongated and having a liquid-dispensing passage along one long edge thereof, an elongated clamping member releasably sealing said liquid-dispensing passage, said clamping member being relatively rigid and being formed of a material separate from the walls of the container, said container, in liquidreleasing position, extending transversely of the superposed layers and being laterally disposed to one side of the portions of the layers between which the liquid thereof is to be released with said liquid-dispensing passage interposed between the layers, means forming extensions of said clamping member, said extensions extending beyond the edges of said superposed layers, said magazine including means defining a withdrawal passage along which said film unit may be advanced after exposure of the photosensitive portion thereof, and means positioned adjacent said Withdrawal passage for engaging and holding said extensions to remove said clamping member from said container upon withdrawal of said film unit past said engaging means.

13. The product of claim12 wherein said magazine additionally includes means comprising a pair'of surfaces for compressing said container and forcing said contained liquid through said liquid dispensing passage after removal of said clamping member.

NEWELL W. PINKHAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,081,770 Pettibone Dec. 16, 1913 1,101,230 Wyman June 23, 1914 1,424,816 Grillone Aug. 8, 1922 1,468,088 Stratton Sept. 18, 1923 1,504,920 'Viegelmann Aug. 12, 1924 2,049,529 Todt Aug. 4, 1936 2,103,389 Salfisberg Dec, 28, 1937 2,214,446 Albers Sept. 10, 1940 2,315,986 'Knott Apr. 6, 1943 2,322,005 'F'ierke July 15, 1943 2,322,006 Fierke July 15, 1943 2,322,027 Jelley July 15, 1943 

